St Patrick’s Day celebrations were in full swing on Sunday, 17 March – but school children across Manchester have been lucky enough to enjoy a full week of singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments in honour of Ireland’s patron saint.
Every year, schools are invited to take part in the Irish Music Festival, an event that celebrates the vibrancy of Irish music, history, tradition and culture. This year, more than 800 pupils got involved in the festivities, celebrating the wonderful contributions of the Irish community and its lasting impact on the city of Manchester.
This annual event is organised by One Education in partnership with the Manchester Irish Education Group and Irish Youth Foundation. One Education is a multi-service provider based in Manchester, providing pupil and business related services to schools across the North West and beyond. The Music Team currently works with 186 schools across Manchester, providing a high-quality music education that is designed to enrich children’s cultural capital, raise aspirations, and ultimately improve their life chances. The Irish Music Festival is one of the many events organised by the team to ensure children have the opportunity to play a range of musical instruments, perform at a prestigious venue, and achieve their full potential in music.
Last Friday marked the last day of the Irish Music Festival, taking place at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill, a major hub for the Irish community in the northwest of England. It is estimated there are around 70 million people around the world with Irish ancestry and Manchester is home to one of the biggest Irish diaspora communities in Britain. The Irish Music Festival offers an invaluable opportunity for children and young people to learn about Irish culture and its enduring legacy and influence on modern Britain.
Friday’s festivities began with a series of fun and interactive workshops led by One Education’s experienced music instructors. Children took part in Irish dancing and learned how to play the traditional bodhrán drum. They also had the chance to work with Rioghnach Connolly, BBC Folk Singer of the Year, who taught them Irish folk songs. As they explored the lyrics together, Rioghnach explained the histories and stories that underpinned the songs. Children discovered the meanings behind Irish words whilst also learning sign language to accompany the lyrics, creating a truly inclusive experience.
After morning rehearsals, children had the opportunity to showcase their final performances in front of an audience made up of their peers, teachers, families, and members of the local community. It was remarkable to see so many people in the crowd – a testament to the power of music to transcend generations and bring people together.
The festival also welcomed distinguished guests Norma Foley, the Irish Education Minister, Sarah Mangan, Ireland’s first Consul General to the North of England, as well as representatives from the Manchester Irish Education Group.
Alongside a band of professional musicians, children performed some of Ireland’s most famous and well-beloved folk songs, including I’ll Tell Me Ma, Katie Daly, and Molly Malone. Children also delivered their own show-stopping solo performances, including St Edmund’s RC Primary’s performance of The Ferryman on tin whistles, and St Patrick’s RC Primary School’s performance of The Banks of The Roses, which soon had the crowd singing and clapping along to the beat.
As a former teacher, Norma Foley remarked that, ‘if these were my pupils, I would be bursting with pride. Thank you to all the schools and everyone else who made it possible for children to experience Irish music, dance, and tradition, and spread a little bit of Ireland across the world.’
Irish Consul General of the North of England, Sarah Mangan, said this was ‘one of the best St Patrick’s Day events in Manchester! We had a fantastic time with One Education and the pupils and teachers who took part.’
Music is an essential part of every young person’s education, promoting their cognitive development, memory, communication and fine motor skills. But the Irish Music Festival serves as a vital reminder of the importance of music to celebrate diversity and bring communities together.
The Irish Music Festival will be back again next year, giving children the chance to forge meaningful connections, create unforgettable memories, and ensure that Ireland’s proud musical heritage continues to echo through the generations.
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